FBA National Conference 2003, The "ArtiFac Process"...

In late August Self Made, in conjunction with Jon Kenfield from Dispute Solutions, presented our latest service development called ArtiFac at the Family Business Australia National Conference in beautiful Hobart. The Artifac process is a radically new approach to family business problem solving that synthesizes powerful but simple performing arts techniques with modern business facilitation procedures. The presentation was a great success and was described by the FBA National Conference Manager, Jenny McCreery as "...incredible value and an inspiration to our family business delegates..."

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Self Made in Europe 2003...

In 2003 the Directors of Self Made journeyed to Europe to attend the Annual IDRIART (Institute for the Development of Intercultural/Trans-disciplinary Relations through the Arts) conference. The conference explores the relationship of Arts and Business and endeavors to make connections to these two worlds which are often seen as separate and discrete. This years conference was held in Castle Borl, Ptui, Slovenia. The castle was an auspicious location that is supposedly the last post of the great knight Parsifal in his quest for the Holy Grail. The castle, although dilapidated with imminent renovations, had a presence that was inescapable and over time palpable- it became apparent that the delegates were in their own way making their grail pilgrimage as well.

The visionary behind the conference is the violinist and Cultural Ambassador to Slovenia, Miha Pogacnik. It was he who enticed Stuart to at least think about coming to Borl and for anyone who has had the good fortune to meet Miha will know that he is a persistent and charismatic man - it was difficult to say no!

Why go? Well, it was of vital importance to us that we: (a) network with the world leaders in Arts and Business so that our company gains an International visibility, develops potential partnerships and alliances; (b) present our service tools and research to test our position and standing the world over and (c) help define strategic directions for the business.

What resulted? What we discovered in Europe was that we are definitely not down under when it comes to innovation. We presented some of our developments, in particular our service offerings with family business, which received enormous interest. Delegates were impressed by our ability to provide clients with tangible business outcomes using the arts as the enabler. Normally, the result of an arts based service is that while it provides excellent humanistic experiences it fails to impact strategically in the medium to long-term. Self Made has managed to change this. We were also heartened by the reception we were given as the delegates whom had traveled the farthest. It became obvious that we Aussie's are hungry to connect with the rest of the world whilst the European nations struggled with identity issues.

With most conferences we attend (as I'm sure you will attest to) it is the people you meet and not the conference content that is the real value proposition, but in this case it was most certainly both. The delegates shared some moments that were both inspirational and transcendent. This was made possible through the confluence of ART- through poetry, movement, music and painting.

In all the conferences I have attended I never remember being moved in such a corporeal way.